FALL ON ROCK, CLIMBING UNROPED, INEXPERIENCE, FATIGUE

Alberta, Practice Rock at Lake O’Hara

Two young Lake O’Hara Lodge staff members got up early on July 29, 1982 and climbed Mount Lefroy. They were down early and decided to do some practice rock climbing. They climbed a 150-foot pitch and then started to downclimb unroped. The first climber reached the bottom successfully. He looked up to see his partner falling down head first and then striking the ground. The victim was unconscious and suffered head injuries and a broken arm. He was evacuated by helicopter. (Source: R. Ralf, Yoho National Park)

Analysis

The climbers should have used the rope and belays for downclimbing. Fatigue and inexperience contributed to this accident. (Source: R. Ralf, Yoho National Park.)